It is frequently contended that as for research and development (R&D), the scientific basis of innovation, Japan has been a freerider with respect to the international community. It is generally accepted, both within and outside the country, that, be that as it may, Japan as an important frontier economy can no longer rest on this position (e.g., cf. Ueda, 1996, p. 22). This paper is about one possible way out of this unsatisfactory situation, i.e. (research) alliances among companies, in order to complement their weak basis of scientific knowledge in one of the most advanced fields of scientific research and most promising fields of business interest: new biotechnology. With respect to such alliances, there is always the fear that the game is not strictly played by the rules, i.e. that one partner will cheat - or at least will try to cheat - the other. Does this apply to Japan, particularly if foreign companies are involved: are partners milked, or is there a symbiotic know-how enhancement, fruitful or all participants?